Taste of the NFL announced its partnership with University of Houston on Tuesday at a special kick-off event. Pictured: Wayne Kostroski, Founder of Taste of the NFL; Brian Greene, President and CEO of Houston Food Bank; Renu Khator, UH President; Robert C. Robbins, M.D, President & CEO of Texas Medical Center; Sallie Sargent, President & CEO, Houston Super Bowl Host Committee

The Foodie’s Ultimate Super Bowl Party Takes Shape

University of Houston to Host Star-Studded Bash

Taste of the NFL announced its partnership with University of Houston on Tuesday at a special kick-off event. Pictured: Wayne Kostroski, Founder of Taste of the NFL; Brian Greene, President and CEO of Houston Food Bank; Renu Khator, UH President; Robert C. Robbins, M.D, President & CEO of Texas Medical Center; Sallie Sargent, President & CEO, Houston Super Bowl Host Committee

Fun, food, and football collide as Taste of the NFL hosts its 26th annual Party with a Purpose event on the eve of Super Bowl LI in Houston. Top football players, chefs, celebrities, and more will gather for this year’s fête, which pairs various chefs from the NFL’s 32 cities with alumni players to create an unforgettable night dedicated to fighting hunger.

The University of Houston serves as home to this year’s star-studded soiree, a fact that was revealed during an exclusive kickoff event Tuesday morning on the university’s campus. This marks the first time the NFL has partnered with a university.

“The University is a vital pillar and resource for the community, so we are thrilled to partner with them this year as we return to Houston,” said Taste of the NFL founder Wayne Kostroski. “In addition to creating new meals, this event is about creating hope and possibility for millions of Americans who are food insecure, and we are grateful to have UH’s support as we continue to fight hunger in this great city and across the country.”

The occasion is also a once in a lifetime chance for UH students, who will be directly involved in the event planning. The university’s nationally ranked Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management leads the charge alongside additional schools including Houston’s Jack J. Valenti School of Communications.

“University of Houston and the Taste of the NFL are united in our passion for public service,” said UH President Renu Khator. “This partnership reflects UH’s steadfast commitment to be a community-serving institution. We look forward to involving students in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, welcoming some of the finest chefs, NFL stars and philanthropists to campus, and most importantly, doing our part to relieve hunger in Houston and across America.”

Cafe Annie’s chef Robert Del Grande acts as Houston’s presiding chef of the night, while Texas Medical Center — which recently debuted its own fine dining institution Third Coast helmed by chef Jon Buchanan — serves as the event’s official chef host.

Taste of the NFL has raised $25 million since its founding in 1992, and one hundred percent of the proceeds benefit food banks across NFL cities. As part of the Super Bowl host city, Houston Food Bank will receive the largest portion of the donations.